S2 advances, 4-2, in extra time

Sounders 2 needed extra time, but finally advanced in its U.S. Open Cup debut Wednesday, beating the Kitsap Pumas, 4-2, at Starfire Stadium.

It was a game of runs, with S2 outscoring Kitsap 2-0 in the first half, Kitsap outscoring S2 2-0 in the second half, and S2 outscoring Kitsap 2-0 in extra time.

What proved to be the winner came in the third minute of extra time, with Pablo Rossi contributing his second goal of the match. Andy Craven scored the final goal into an open net in the final seconds after the Pumas had pushed far forward in search of another equalizer.

“Our first 15 minutes of overtime we kind of took the game back under control,” E2 coach Ezra Hendrickson said. “… I told them at halftime, a 2-0 lead is one of the most difficult leads in this game to hold.”

Victor Mansaray opened the scoring in the 26th minute after taking a pass from Qudus Lawal. S2 doubled its lead in the 45th minute when Rossi ran onto a cross from Nate Tongovula and knocked it in.

However, the Pumas dominated the second 45 minutes with two unassisted goals from Mike Ramos, the second – the equalizer – coming in stoppage time.

The result ends Kitsap’s Open Cup run. However, the Pumas shift to PDL play at 7:30 p.m. Friday with a home match against the Calgary Foothills.

Sounders 2 advances to the third round, where it will meet Portland Timbers 2 at 1 p.m. next Wednesday at Starfire. The unusual start time accommodates the MLS Sounders, who will play Colorado that night at CenturyLink Field.

However, S2 and T2 will also meet before that in a USL match at 7 p.m. Friday in Portland.

Final: Andy Craven scores on a counter in the final seconds and Sounders win, 4-2.

Sounders 2 will face Timbers 2 at 1 p.m. next Wednesday ... odd time creating space for the Sounders-Rapids MLS match that night at CLink.

105: Teams will switch ends for final 15 minutes. S2, 3-2.

101' Second yellow card shown to Desorzi, and Pumas go a man down while a goal down. S2 3-2.

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